Step trash can having integrated base and base liner

ABSTRACT

A step trash can assembly includes a base assembly having an integrated base and base liner. The base includes several parts, including a base, a pedal bar with a foot pedal end and a linkage end for coupling to a link rod for operating the lid, and a pivot axle supported by the base, which pivotally supports the pedal bar. In addition, a separate base liner is provided above the base, concealing the components in the base after installation in the canister body. The foregoing components are pre-assembled to form the base assembly prior to attachment to the inside bottom trash can body.

CROSS REFERENCE

This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 61/215,062, entitled “Integrated Step Trash Can Base Assembly,”filed on May 1, 2009, and a Continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/602,081, entitled “Trash Can Assembly with BagTrim,” filed on Nov. 20, 2006. These applications and other applicationsand documents referenced herein are fully incorporated by reference asif fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to trash can assemblies, and in particulartrash cans having a lid that can be opened by operation of a foot pedal.

2. Description of Related Art

A major concern for both the home and the workplace is containing andholding wastes, refuse, and trash until permanent disposal. Trash cansact as containers for holding trash and other wastes that are producedin any typical home or office. Trash and garbage cans often employ lidsand covers to contain the trash and its associated odor, to hide thetrash from view, and to prevent the trash from contaminating areasbeyond the lid.

Conventional trash cans have been improved over the years to make themmore user-friendly, sanitary, and hygienic. For example, many trash cansare now provided with a foot pedal positioned adjacent the base of thetrash can so that a user can step on the foot pedal to open the lid ofthe trash can, thereby freeing up the user's hands to toss trash, or tochange the plastic liner or bag that is used to line the trash can.Other trash cans have even provided an internal metal or plastic linerthat fits inside the trash can, and which can be removed to be washed.However, these conventional trash cans still suffer from a number ofdrawbacks.

A number of these drawbacks are associated with the deployment, use andremoval of the trash bag. A common problem is associated withmaintaining the trash bag suspended at the top of the trash open withthe mouth of the trash bag opened. For example, a user typically needsto fold the top edge of the trash bag over the top edge of the trash canor its internal liner to maintain the mouth of the trash bag opened atthe top of the trash can or an internal liner. Unfortunately, the weightof the waste materials deposited into the trash bag often causes thetrash bag to slip from the mouth of the trash can and fall crumpled intothe interior of the trash can. This can result in the undesirablespillage of the waste material inside the trash bag.

Further, prior art step trash cans require a number of componentsrequiring various steps in the assembly process.

Thus, there remains a need for a trash can that facilitates theconvenient and effective deployment, use and removal of a trash bag.Further, there remains a need for a step trash can structure thatrequires less number of parts and provides ease of assembly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a trash can assemblythat allows for a trash bag to be conveniently and effectively deployed,used and removed.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a trash canassembly that securely retains a trash bag at the mouth of the trashcan.

In order to accomplish the objects of the present invention, the presentinvention provides a trash can assembly that includes a shell having anenclosing wall that has an upper edge, a trim pivotably connected to theupper edge, and a lid pivotably connected to the upper edge. The trim isseated on the upper edge, and the lid is seated on the trim, when thelid is closed. In addition, the trim and the lid pivot about the samepivot axis.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the assembly canalso include a locking element on the trim that removably engages aportion of the upper edge. According to another aspect of the presentinvention, the upper edge has an annular lip which extends outwardlybeyond the wall of the shell.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the shell includesa bag tuck opening provided adjacent the upper edge.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a bowl-shapedliner is attached inside the shell adjacent the base of the shell.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, the assemblyincludes a base assembly having an integrated base and base liner. Inthis aspect, a step trash can includes a base assembly attached to acylindrical canister body. The base includes several parts, including abase, a pedal bar with a foot pedal end and a linkage end for couplingto a link rod for operating the lid, and a pivot axle supported by thebase, which pivotally supports the pedal bar. In addition, a separatebase liner is provided above the base, concealing the components in thebase after installation in the canister body. The foregoing componentsare pre-assembled to form the base assembly prior to attachment to theinside bottom trash can body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature and advantages of theinvention, as well as the preferred mode of use, reference should bemade to the following detailed description read in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings. In the following drawings, like referencenumerals designate like or similar parts throughout the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a trash can assembly according to oneembodiment of the present invention shown with the lid closed, and witha trash bag shown in phantom.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the trash can assembly of FIG. 1 shownwith the lid opened, and with a trash bag shown in phantom.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of the trash can assembly of FIG.1.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the trash can assembly of FIG.1 shown with the lid opened.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view illustrating the hinge mechanism ofthe trash can assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a perspective sectional view of the lower portion of the trashcan assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a bottom perspective view of the portion 8 of the trim shownin FIG. 4.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a trash can assembly according toanother embodiment of the present invention, shown without a lid.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along line 10-10 in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along line 11-11 in FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is a top view of the trash can assembly of FIG. 9.

FIG. 13 is a bottom view of the trash can assembly of FIG. 9.

FIG. 14 is an exploded top perspective view of the trash can assembly ofFIG. 9.

FIG. 15 is an exploded bottom perspective view of the trash can assemblyof FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present description is of the best presently contemplated modes ofcarrying out the invention. This description is made for the purpose ofillustrating the general principles of the invention and should not betaken in a limiting sense. The scope of the invention is best determinedby reference to the appended claims. The invention has been describedherein in reference to various embodiments and drawings. It will beappreciated by those skilled in the art that variations and improvementsmay be accomplished in view of these teachings without deviating fromthe scope and spirit of the invention.

FIGS. 1-8 illustrate one embodiment of a trash can assembly 20 accordingto the present invention. The assembly 20 has a shell or canister body22 that can be made from either plastic or metal. The shell 22 is anenclosing wall which can have any desired shape, including oval,triangular, rectangular, square or circular (among others), although theshell 22 is illustrated in FIGS. 1-7 as being generally circular. Thetop edge of the shell 22 has an annular lip 24 which defines an openedmouth 26. The annular lip 24 extends outwardly beyond the wall of theshell 22, and has a generally rounded cross-section.

A trim 28 is pivotably coupled to the lip or top edge 24, and can bemade from plastic or metal. The trim 28 and the shell 22 can be madefrom the same or different materials. The trim 28 has an annular base 44that is adapted to be seated on the lip 24 of the shell 22, and anannular wall 46 extending vertically from the base 44, and which isrecessed from the base 44 to define a shoulder 45 between the wall 46and the base 44. A lid 30 is pivotably connected to the upper portion ofthe shell 22 using a hinged connection that is described below. The lid30 can be made of a solid and stable material, such as a metal, plastic,etc. The lid 30 has an annular wall 48 that is adapted to be seated onthe annular base 44 of the trim 28 when the lid 30 is closed, with thewalls 46 and 48 positioned side-by-side such that the outer surfaces ofthe wall 48 and the base 44 are flush (see FIG. 1).

The shell 22 has a base 34, and a foot pedal 36 is pivotably secured tothe base 34. The base 34 of the shell 22 can define a generally annularand curved skirt. In a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention,the skirt can be formed in one plastic piece. The shell 22 can beattached to the top of the skirt of the base 34 by a groove snap-on,glue, welding, screws, and similar attachment mechanisms. Referring toFIGS. 3 and 7, a bowl-shaped liner insert 100 is attached to the base 34at the bottom of the shell 22, and forms a seal or lower wall for theinterior of the shell 22. The liner insert 100 can be made of plastic,and defines a smooth base for the interior of the shell 22. The linerinsert 100 is particularly advantageous where the trash can assembly 20does not utilize a rigid inner liner.

Referring to FIG. 3, a link assembly extends from the foot pedal 36along the base 34 and then upwardly along the shell 22 to the lid 30.The link assembly operates to translate an up-down pivot motion of thepedal 36 to an up-down pivot motion for the lid 30. The link assemblyincludes a pedal bar 38 having a rear end that is pivotably coupled tothe bottom end of a vertical link rod 40. The pedal bar 38 is pivotablycoupled to the base 34 for pivoting movement about a pivot axis 42, andis connected at its front end to the foot pedal 36. The bottom of thelink rod 40 is housed inside the base 34, and the link rod 40 extendsthrough the base 34 to the exterior of the shell 22, and then extendsvertically along the rear of the shell 22 to the location of the lid 30at the upper edge 24.

The trash can assembly 20 has a hinge assembly that pivotably couplesthe lid 30 and the trim 28 along the same pivot axis that is defined bya pivot shaft 50. The hinge assembly is illustrated in greater detail inFIGS. 5 and 6 and includes a hinge housing 52 that is provided on theshell 22, a pair of pivot ears 54 and 56 provided at the rear of thetrim 28, and a pair of pivot ears 58 and 60 provided at the rear of thelid 30.

The hinge housing 52 is secured to the outer surface of a rear part ofthe shell 22 adjacent the lip 24, and includes an L-shaped shield 66extending vertically from a horizontal top surface 68 of the hingehousing 52, a bag tuck opening 70 provided in a region 72 that isrecessed from the top surface 68, and a pivot tube 74 positioned at therear of the hinge housing 52 on the top surface 68. The pivot tube 74has a bore 76 which is adapted to receive the pivot shaft 50. In someembodiments, the bag tuck opening 70 functions to grip and hold portionsof a trash bag, and is defined by a border 78 that has cut-out sections80. Portions of the trash bag can be tucked into one or more of thecut-out sections 80 so that these cut-out sections 80 can grip thetucked portions of the trash bag. In some embodiments, the bag tuckopening 70 comprises a circular opening to receive and hold portions ofa trash bag. The shield 66 encircles an opening (not shown) in the topsurface 68, and functions to shield or separate the hooked end 82 at thetop of the link rod 40.

The trim 28 has a pair of pivot ears 54 and 56 that are spaced apart atthe rear of the trim 28. The pivot ears 54 and 56 are spaced so that thepivot tube 74 is snugly fitted between the ears 54, 56, as best shown inFIG. 5. Each ear 54, 56 has a through-hole 84 that is adapted forreceiving the pivot shaft 50.

The lid 30 has a pair of pivot ears 58, 60 that are spaced so that thepivot ears 54, 56 are snugly fitted between the ears 58, 60, as bestshown in FIG. 5. Specifically, the ear 58 has two parallel walls 90 and92, with the inner wall 92 positioned snugly next to the pivot ear 54,and the ear 60 has two parallel walls 94 and 96, with the inner wall 96positioned snugly next to the pivot ear 56. Each ear 58, 60 has athrough-hole 85 that is adapted for receiving the pivot shaft 50. Apivot holder 86 extends from the inner surface 88 of the lid 30 via avertical support 102 that is secured to the inner surface 88. The pivotholder 86 has two parallel vertical walls 104 and 106, with an L-shapedslot 108 provided in each wall 104, 106.

Thus, the pivot shaft 50 extends through the through-holes 84, 85 andthe bore 76 to pivotably connect the trim 28 and the lid 30 along thesame pivot axis.

The top of the link rod 40 has a hooked end 82 that extends through thehinge housing 52, and in particular, the opening shielded by the shield66. The hooked end 82 is received for pivoting motion inside the slots108 of the walls 104, 106, as best shown in FIG. 5. Each slot 108 has anupper leg 110 and a lower leg 112. The hooked end 82 is normallyretained for pivoting motion in the upper leg 110 of each slot 108. Whenthe lid 30 is fully opened, the user can manually push the hooked end 82into the lower leg 112 of each slot 108, which will then secure the lid30 in the opened position until the hooked end 82 is disengaged from thelower leg 112 of each slot 108.

Referring now to FIG. 8, the trim 28 includes a lock mechanism thatfunctions to secure the trim 28 to the lip 24 of the shell 22. The lockmechanism includes at least one hook element 120 that is secured to theinside of the base 44 of the trim 28. The hook element 120 has an innercurved surface 122 that is adapted to receive the rounded lip 24,thereby securing the lip 24 (and the shell 22) to the trim 28. A handle124 can be provided on the outside of the base 44 adjacent the locationof the lock mechanism, so that a user can grip the handle 124 to liftthe trim 28 from the shell 22.

In use, the user can step on the foot pedal 36 to cause the lid 30 toopen. The user can adjust the hooked end 82 into the lower leg 112 ofthe slots 108 to lock the lid 30 in the opened position. The user canthen grip the handle 124 to lift (i.e., separate) the trim 28 from thelip 24 of the shell 22, with the trim 28 pivoting about the same pivotaxis as the lid 30. Next, the user can insert a trash bag into theinterior of the shell 22, and then invert the mouth of the trash bagover the annular lip 24. The outwardly-extending, rounded constructionof the lip 22 is effective in retaining the inverted mouth of the trashbag at the lip 24. This is illustrated in FIG. 2. In addition, part ofthe trash bag can be inserted into the bag tuck opening 70. The trim 28is then pivoted downwardly until it is rested on top of the lip 24, withthe lip 24 secured inside the hook element(s) 120. The mouth of thetrash bag will essentially be sandwiched by the trim 28 and the lip 24,thereby ensuring that the mouth of the trash bag is always opened duringuse, and that the trash bag will be retained at the top of the shell 22.The user can then move the hooked end 82 into the upper leg 110 andpivot the lid 30 downwardly to be closed, as shown in FIG. 1. To replacethe trash bag, the user can open the lid 30 and lift the trim 28 in themanner described above, and then lift the trash bag from the shell 22before replacing it with a new trash bag.

Thus, the trash can assembly 20 provides several features that areeffective in retaining a trash bag at the mouth of the shell 22. Forexample, the outwardly-extending lip 24 of the shell 22 makes it easyfor the user to invert the mouth of the trash bag to retain the trashbag at the lip 24. The trim 28 securely retains the mouth of the trashbag at the lip 24 of the shell 22. The locking element ensures that thetrim 28 is secured to the lip 24 of the shell 22 so that the trash bagcannot be inadvertently disengaged from the lip 24. In addition, theuser can tuck a portion of the trash bag into the bag tuck opening 70.All of these features ensure that the trash bag is retained securely atthe lip 24 of the shell 22.

Referring to FIGS. 9-15, an alternate embodiment of an integrated baseassembly is illustrated, further to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and7. In accordance with this embodiment, the step trash can assembly 200is similar to assembly 20 in the earlier embodiment, with the exceptionof the base assembly 204. In particular, the step trash can assembly 200includes a hollow canister body 202, a pivotally supported lid (notshown, but can be similar the lid 30 in the earlier embodiment), and thebase assembly 204. The base assembly 204 comprises a base 208, a liner210 supported on the base 208, and a step mechanism supported at bottomof the base 208.

The canister body 202 may be made of brushed, polished, painted orotherwise finished plastic or metal. In the illustrated embodiment, thecanister body 202 is cylindrical of a circular cross-section and made ofpolished steel. Other cylindrical canister body of other cross-sectionalgeometry may be structured without departing from the scope and spiritof the present invention. The top of the canister body 202 is covered bya hinged lid (not shown), which may be the same or different materialand/or finish as the canister body 202. The bottom of the canister body202 has a smooth inwardly rolled flange 206 (or another inwardlyextending flange), through which the base assembly 204 is installed.Optionally, an inner bucket (not shown) may be provided as a liner forholding a plastic trash bag. As shown in the earlier embodiment, trimring may be provided for securely retaining a plastic bag against theopening of the canister body 202, or the inner bucket if one isprovided.

The base assembly 204 includes a base 208, which supports a bowl-shapedliner 210. The base 208 is inserted through the bottom section of thecanister body 202. In this embodiment, the base 208 is inserted into thecanister body 202 such that the bottom of the base is substantiallyflushed with the bottom edge of the canister body 202. With the base 208substantially concealed inside the bottom of the canister body 202, theoverall aesthetics of the trash can assembly 200 is improved. With thecanister body 202 made of polished steel, the overall trash can assemblylooks cleaner, with the polished steel canister body 202 extending topto bottom.

The liner 210 provides a smooth or finished base for the interior of thecanister body 202. The liner 210 is sized to extend substantially acrossa horizontal planar section within the cylindrical wall of the canisterbody 202, such that one viewing from the top of the canister body 202would see the liner 210 only, with the other components of the baseassembly 204 substantially concealed from view (top view in FIG. 12).The bowl-shaped liner 210 does not extend significantly upwardly insidethe canister body 202, but provides a concave bottom wall of a lowheight, compared to the height of the canister body 202. The bowl-shapedliner 210 protects the step mechanism from trash and provides aneffective catchment for trash dropped directly into the trash can (e.g,from a broken trash bag). The liner 210 is provided with several smallopenings 211 for bleeding air within the canister body 202. In someembodiments, air can be expelled through the small openings 211 and thebase assembly 204 when a plastic trash bag is placed into the canisterbody 202, so as to facilitate placement of the plastic trash bag.Furthermore, the small openings 211 prevent forming of a vacuum betweenthe plastic trash bag (full of trash) and the canister body 202 and/orthe liner 210. This facilitates removal of a trash bag since vacuumbetween the plastic trash bag and the canister body 202 and/or the liner210 may make it hard to pull up and remove the plastic trash bag. At thebottom side of the liner 210, several legs 220 extend towards the base208. In the illustrated embodiment, four legs 220 are shown. The numberof legs may be more or less than four. Each leg 220 has a bore 221. Thebase 208 is provided with complementary leg pads 222, each having acenter through-hole 223. When the liner 210 is mounted on the base 208,each bore 221 of each leg 220 is aligned with the through-hole 223 ineach leg pad 222. A screw (e.g., a self-tapping screw, not shown) isapplied through the through-hole 223 of the foot pad 222 and fastened tothe bore of the leg 220. Feet 224 (each in the form of a rubber capinsert) are provided for standing the trash can. Each foot 224 isinserted into an opening 225 provided at the bottom of each leg pad 222.

A number of hollow pedestals or openings 209 are provided on the base208, to provide additional support of the liner 210. The top of thepedestals 209 form a concave profile to conform to and accommodate theconvex bottom of the liner 210. Also, the pedestals 209 provide openaccess to the small openings 211 of the liner 210 from the bottom of thetrash can. This access makes it easier to clean portions of the bottomof the liner 210 and the small openings 211 from bottom of the trashcan.

The step mechanism comprises a pedal bar 212 having a foot pedal 214 atone end and a hinge 215 at another end. A pivot axle 216 is supported atthe bottom of the base 208. The pivot axle 216 has one end inserted intoslot 230 on one side of the cavity 217 at the bottom of the base 208,and another end held at the notch 231 and fastened to the bottom of thebase 208 by a screw 232 at the other side of the cavity 217, so that theend inserted into the slot 230 would not retract from the slot 230. Thepivot axle 216 so assembled would withstand a user's foot pressure onthe pedal bar. The pedal bar 212 is support for pivoting on the pivotaxle 216, within the cavity 217 defined at the bottom of the base 208.The pedal bar 212 has a bottom pivot channel 218 across the width of thepedal bar 212, which receives the pivot axle 216. The pivot axle 216 maybe positioned relative to the foot pedal 214 and the hinge end 215 toprovide the required leverage to operate a link rod 201 to lift the lidof the trash can.

The pedal bar 212 and the foot pedal 214 may be separate pieces (see,for example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,044,323, which is fully incorporated byreference herein). The foot pedal 214 can be attached to the end of thepedal bar 212 after the base assembly 204 has been installed in thecavity 217 at the bottom of the canister body 202. In the illustratedembodiment, an opening 236 is provided at the edge of the base 208,through which the foot pedal 214 extends. The foot pedal end can beinserted through the opening 236 to attach to the end of the pedal bar212 after the latter is supported on the pivot axle 216. Alternatively,the pedal bar 212 and foot pedal 214 may be a unitary piece.

Prior to assembling the base 208 onto the bottom of the canister body202, the components of the base 208 may be fully assembled or partiallyassembled, depending on the desired packaging and shipping. For example,the pedal bar 212 and pivot axle 216 are installed at the bottom of thebase 208, and the bowl liner 210 is fastened at the legs 220 to the base208 (using screws through holes 223 in the leg pads 222). This fullyassembled base assembly 204 may be maintained separate from the canisterbody 202 in the product packaging, to be shipped to a customer andfinally assembled by the end user at the site of use. Alternatively, theassembled base assembly 204 may be shipped fully assembled with thecanister body 202. The integral base assembly improves manufacturabilityand costs of manufacturing. Since the base assembly 204 ispre-manufactured as a fully assembled module, it can be easily assembledto the canister body 202 at the point of manufacture by end users.

The base assembly 204 can be attached to the canister body 202 byseveral alternative methods. The preferred method would be to apply afastener-less mechanical fit between the base assembly 204 and thecanister body 202 to securely assemble the parts. For example, a numberof protruding tabs 240 are provided along the rim of the base 208 (e.g.,integrally molded with the rim of the base 208), which securely latchonto the inwardly rolled flange 206 at the bottom edge of the canisterbody 202. Alternatively, a setting fasteners (e.g., a screw) may be usedto secure the base assembly 204 on the canister body 202, for example,through the side of the canister body 202. However, this would be lessaesthetic appealing, especially when the canister body 202 is made ofpolished steel finish.

The hinge 215 end of the pedal bar 212 is hingedly attached to one end205 of the link rod 201 for operating the lid (not shown in FIGS. 9-15,but may be similar to lid 30 in the earlier described embodiment). Inthe illustrated embodiment, the link rod 201 extends through an opening203 in the canister body 202 and runs outside of the canister body 202vertically to the lid (see, FIG. 3). The other end 207 of the link rod201 is hingedly connected to the lid (see FIG. 3). The link rod 201 maybe positioned on the inside of the canister body 202, in an alternateembodiment.

The base assembly may be made primarily of durable plastic material,such as ABS, polyeurathane, vinyl, etc. The pivot axle 216 is made ofmore durable metal.

In accordance with the present invention in reference to the illustratedembodiment, there is significantly less number of parts required toprovide a sturdy base assembly for foot pedal operation. A separatebucket liner is not required as a trash bag can be secured to the trashcan and shielded from moving parts on the bottom portion of the trashcan without a complete bucket liner. The assembly process requiresminimal use of fasteners. In the illustrated embodiment, screw 232 isapplied to secure the pivot axle 216, and screws for fastening the liner210 to the base 208. The rest of the components in the base assembly 204do not require separate fasteners, and the attachment of the baseassembly 204 to the canister body 202 does not require separatefasteners.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described withreference to the preferred embodiments, it will be understood by thoseskilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be madewithout departing from the spirit, scope, and teaching of the invention.Accordingly, the disclosed invention is to be considered merely asillustrative and limited in scope only as specified in the appendedclaims.

1. A step trash can assembly, comprising: a canister body, having anedge at the bottom of the canister; and a base assembly, whichcomprises: a base, a liner supported on the base, the liner sized toextend substantially across a horizontal planar section within thecanister body; and a step mechanism supported at the bottom of the base,wherein the base assembly is attached to inside bottom of the canisterbody.
 2. The step trash can assembly of claim 1, wherein the base, linerand step mechanism are structured to be assembled prior to attachment tothe canister body.
 3. The step trash can assembly of claim 2, whereinthe base assembly is attached to the canister body without using aseparate fastener piece.
 4. The step trash can assembly of claim 3,wherein the base assembly is attached to the canister body by means ofprotruding tabs provided around the base, and wherein the tabs latchonto an edge at the bottom of the canister body.
 5. The step trash canassembly of claim 4, wherein the edge at the bottom of the canister bodycomprises a rolled flange, on which the tabs latch.
 6. The step trashcan assembly of claim 1, wherein liner is bowl-shaped.
 7. The step trashcan assembly of claim 6, wherein the liner is provided with smallopenings for bleeding air.
 8. The step trash can assembly of claim 6,wherein the base, liner and step mechanism are structured to beassembled prior to attachment to the canister body.
 9. The step trashcan assembly of claim 8, wherein the base assembly is attached to thecanister body without using a separate fastener piece.
 10. The steptrash can assembly of claim 9, wherein the base assembly is attached tothe canister body by means of protruding tabs provided around the base,and wherein the tabs latch onto an edge at the bottom of the canisterbody.
 11. The step trash can assembly of claim 10, wherein the edge atthe bottom of the canister body comprises a rolled flange, on which thetabs latch.
 12. The step trash can assembly of claim 1, wherein the stepassembly comprises: a pedal bar, having a foot pedal at one end and ahinge at another end; and a pivot axle supported at the bottom of thebase, providing pivotal support of the pedal bar.
 13. The step trash canassembly of claim 12, wherein the base comprises a cavity at the base,in which the step mechanism is installed.
 14. The step trash canassembly of claim 12, wherein the base, liner and step mechanism arestructured to be assembled prior to attachment to the canister body. 15.The step trash can assembly of claim 13, wherein the base assembly isattached to the canister body without using a separate fastener piece.16. The step trash can assembly of claim 15, wherein the base assemblyis attached to the canister body by means of protruding tabs providedaround the base, and wherein the tabs latch onto an edge at the bottomof the canister body.
 17. The step trash can assembly of claim 16,wherein the edge at the bottom of the canister body comprises a rolledflange, on which the tabs latch.
 18. The step trash can assembly ofclaim 7, wherein the base comprises openings corresponding to the smallopenings of the liner.
 19. A base assembly module for use in a steptrash can, comprising: a base, a liner supported on the base, the linersized to extend substantially across a horizontal planar section withinthe canister body; and a step mechanism supported at bottom of the base,wherein the base, liner and step mechanism are structured to beassembled in a module prior to attachment to the step trash can.
 20. Thestep trash can assembly of claim 19, wherein liner is bowl-shaped. 21.The step trash can assembly of claim 20, wherein the step assemblycomprises: a pedal bar, having a foot pedal at one end and a hinge atanother end; and a pivot axle supported at the bottom of the base,providing pivotal support of the pedal bar.